Tag: Manchester United

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Reliable Portuguese news outlet O Jogo has provided insights into the transfer situation surrounding Goncalo Inacio.

The report highlights that Inacio has turned down an offer from Newcastle United. His decision is based on the anticipation of interest from higher-profile clubs such as Manchester United, Liverpool, or Real Madrid.

Liverpool, in particular, has shown significant interest in Inacio. Reports indicate they have already made an initial bid of approximately €30 million (£26M) for the player.

However, it seems that Sporting is firm on their stance that they will only part with Inacio if a club meets his €60 million (£52M) release clause.

Manchester United’s current defensive woes have been underscored by their recent performance, where they conceded two goals against Tottenham.

This season, United’s defense has let in 29 goals in the Premier League, and they stand as the only team in the top 10 with a negative goal difference.

Currently placed 7th, there’s a growing urgency for United to bolster their defense before the winter window closes to avoid slipping further by the end of the season in May.

Image Credits; Sevilla FC

After spending over four years with Manchester United, Mateo Mejia has officially sealed a transfer to Sevilla.

The deal, as reported by Rob Dawson from ESPN, includes a performance-based fee for United, along with a sell-on clause.

Mejia joined Manchester United’s Academy back in 2019, coming from his local club, Real Zaragoza. The 20-year-old, originally from the northern region of Spain, also qualifies to play for Colombia due to his family background and made his first appearance for their U-20 team in December 2022.

Despite facing a few injuries, Mejia made a name for himself in the Under-21s, participating in 15 games and scoring notable goals against Arsenal and Leicester City in the 2022/23 season.

His progress saw him joining the youth squad’s trip to the United States last summer, where he featured in a friendly match against Wrexham, coming on as a substitute for Shola Shoretire in San Diego.

Under the guidance of Erik ten Hag, Mejia had the opportunity to train with the first team at Manchester United. In the current season, he played 12 times for Travis Binnion’s side, including three EFL Trophy matches, scoring three goals.

Mejia’s move to Sevilla marks a reunion with Hannibal, his former youth teammate, who recently joined Sevilla on a loan deal from Manchester United.

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Under the new stewardship of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Manchester United is setting the stage for major changes, beginning with plans to relocate from their Carrington training base.

The club’s new owners have identified the need for a more expansive facility, deeming the current location inadequate for future growth.

According to the Daily Mail, the club is currently engaged in discussions to purchase a golf club in South Manchester. To meet the club’s requirements, the new site must encompass at least 100 acres of land suitable for development.

Negotiations are underway for the acquisition of High Legh Golf Club located in Knutsford. Despite ongoing talks, a final deal has not been cemented.

The golf club, which is conveniently situated close to where several United players reside in Cheshire, appears to fulfill several criteria for the club.

This club features an 18-hole championship course, a smaller nine-hole course, a floodlit driving range with 24 bays, and additional amenities including a golf store, a clubhouse bar, and a restaurant.

Acquired by Warrington-based American Golf in 2021 for £2.7 million, High Legh Golf Club was put up for sale the following year.

United’s Carrington base, despite various upgrades over time, is reportedly not up to par with the facilities of other top clubs like Manchester City and Tottenham. Issues such as inadequate parking at Carrington, which often leads to frustration among the staff, have been highlighted.

Cristiano Ronaldo, in a candid interview with Piers Morgan, had previously expressed dissatisfaction with the club’s facilities, noting minimal changes since his initial departure in 2009.

While all possibilities are being considered, including maintaining a presence at Carrington, which has been United’s base since 1999, the club’s preference is to consolidate all operations, including the women’s team and academy, at a single training site.

The financial aspect of this potential move is yet to be clarified. With Ratcliffe poised to take control of football operations following his 25 percent investment in the club, the responsibility for funding the new training ground is still a point of deliberation between him and the Glazer family.

Ratcliffe’s commitment to invest £250 million in the club has been made public, but the financing of the new training facility remains a contentious issue.

Fascinating and juicy detail has been revealed on the Manchester United sale process, courtesy of Ben Jacobs.

‘Bidder A’ (Sheikh Jassim) formally withdrew on October 15, 2023. Qatar bid consistently failed to provide “customary financing commitment letters” throughout and there is no mention of pledged investment.

Several sources close to the sale had said repeatedly that the reality of Qatar’s offer did not match the PR.

SEC Filings also stress the Board made it clear equal per share consideration for A and B shares was necessary, and the Qatar bid failed to do this.

“Representatives of Manchester United continued to inform Bidder A [Jassim] that the Board of Directors was not prepared to move forward with a transaction whereby the holders of Class A Shares received less per share consideration than the holders of Class B Shares and that the Board of Directors would require sufficient evidence of the financing and customary financing commitment papers.”

It’s also confirmed Ratcliffe pivoted to his current structure in July 2023.

Raine were contacted by over 170 potential suitors with 26 parties signing NDAs, 19 of which requested process letters. 10 parties expressed initial and formal interest, seven of which proposed minority investment. Eight made it to the second round.

It’s also worth noting it is a regulatory requirement to be as truthful as possible in these filings.

It’s also clear, from the per-share offers listed, that no Qatar bid was above $5bn, with offers significantly lower than Sheikh Jassim sources indicated throughout the process. Ratcliffe, meanwhile, had four proposals rejected in 2023.

Note: You cannot ‘spin’ an SEC filing; the information above is a literal inference from the SEC filing, which is a legally binding government document. Lying to the SEC is a criminal offense in the USA.

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In a surprising twist, Real Madrid are open to selling Vinicius Jr in order to fund a deal for Kylian Mbappe, according to reports in Spain.

Vinicius, known for his dynamic play, recently showcased his skills with a remarkable hat-trick against Barcelona in the Supercopa final. This performance is a part of his overall contribution of 136 goals in 241 appearances for Real Madrid. Despite his success, the arrival of Mbappe, a top-rated player, could challenge his position on the team.

Mbappe’s potential move from Paris Saint-Germain to Madrid is much discussed, with the possibility of him joining on a free transfer. However, his expected weekly wages of £600,000 would bring the total cost of his contract to a significant £30 million annually, summing up to £150m over the entire period.

In light of these financial implications, the Spanish outlet Sport reports that Real Madrid might entertain selling Vinicius for the right price.

Manchester United, backed by British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS group after their investment approval by the Premier League, are reportedly ready to bid £130m for the Brazilian star.

The potential transfer raises questions about Vinicius’ willingness to join United, especially considering they are not currently positioned for Champions League play.

The Red Devils are lagging eight points behind the fourth position, with Arsenal holding an additional game advantage.

With the expected full control by Sir Jim Ratcliffe in early February, Manchester United is set to undergo a significant overhaul. This includes the appointment of a new CEO, a sporting director, and a head of recruitment to manage football operations.

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In a surprising turn of events, Chelsea is reportedly showing interest in Manchester United’s Luke Shaw, as per information from the Daily Express.

The Stamford Bridge outfit, in a bid to address their fullback injury woes, has supposedly added Shaw to their targeted “shortlist.”

The need for reinforcements has become urgent for Chelsea, with both Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella sidelined due to injuries.

Chilwell’s absence, spanning almost three months, is due to a hamstring issue, while Cucurella is recovering from an ankle surgery he had before the festive season. Adding to the crisis, young prospect Ian Maatsen has moved to Borussia Dortmund on a loan deal.

On the right side of defense, the situation isn’t much better. Reece James is out of action due to a hamstring surgery and isn’t expected back until April.

Chelsea, under Mauricio Pochettino, have utilized Levi Colwill in the left-back position, but it’s not his natural role, and he has faced challenges adapting.

Malo Gusto, a right-back by trade who was signed from Lyon last year, has occasionally filled in on the left but with James out, he’s needed on his natural right side.

Pochettino’s Chelsea, therefore, appears keen on bringing in a left-back, leading to the unexpected link with Manchester United’s Shaw.

The Argentine coach has been vocal about integrating more Premier League experienced players into the squad, following difficulty in assimilating many recent signings.

Shaw’s inclusion in a five-player shortlist by Chelsea’s recruitment team is noteworthy, especially given his injury history and the fierce rivalry between Chelsea and Manchester United.

However, Chelsea’s successful acquisition of Mason Mount from United last summer indicates such a move is not unprecedented.

Shaw, who grew up a Chelsea fan in Kingston upon Thames, might find this move appealing.

The Daily Express suggests that United might be open to offloading the 28-year-old, considering Financial Fair Play pressures and Shaw’s injury challenges, potentially making a deal feasible this month.

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Manchester United’s long-standing interest in Harry Kane, now a standout at Bayern Munich, continues to make headlines. The Premier League giants have been admirers of the ex-Tottenham forward for some time, but the tough negotiating stance of Spurs’ chairman, Daniel Levy, has always been a hindrance.

The pursuit seemed to cool last summer, with United opting instead for Rasmus Hojlund, a promising Danish forward, after recognising the complexities involved in luring Kane away from his then club.

In a recent discussion on the Transfer Gossip Daily, BBC journalist Luke Edwards shed light on United’s intentions. He indicated that Erik ten Hag’s team might make a move for Kane in the upcoming transfer window.

Edwards noted, “There’s [Victor] Osimhen at Napoli and there’s Harry Kane at Bayern Munich who I think Manchester United will be in for in the summer.”

Despite this, Edwards pointed out that United’s main challenge could be Kane’s own desire to return to England.

Edwards stated, “I don’t see Bayern Munich wanting to let him go in the summer, I don’t see Harry Kane wanting to come back to England if I’m perfectly honest.”

With Eric Dier joining Kane at Bayern and Kane’s impressive record in Germany – 26 goals in 23 games this season – his willingness to leave a successful stint at Bayern seems questionable.

While the idea of Kane at United is tantalising, considering the current state of their forward line, it appears more like wishful thinking.

Hojlund, despite his potential, doesn’t have the same scoring prowess as Kane might have in Munich. The real question remains: How much support will United seek for their attacking force, and will it indeed be Harry Kane?

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Manchester United seems to be setting their sights on Benfica’s rising star, Joao Neves. The club has marked Neves as a strategic acquisition, and their recent discussions with Benfica, as reported by Correio da Manha and translated by Sport Witness, indicate a strengthening of ties between the clubs.

The recent transfer of Alvaro Fernandez from Manchester United to Benfica is believed to have paved the way for better negotiation terms for Neves in the future.

The 19-year-old midfielder, who has been showing immense potential, is expected to secure a significant transfer, though his next destination remains uncertain.

Manchester United, under Erik ten Hag’s management, appears to be a suitable fit for Neves. The club is on the lookout for fresh talent to rejuvenate their somewhat ageing midfield, which currently includes players like Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, and Sofyan Amrabat.

With Kobbie Mainoo already making a mark in the first team, the addition of Neves could prove to be a smart move, creating a youthful and dynamic midfield partnership for the future.

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Manchester United legend Roy Keane has advised his former club to sign Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz.

The Brazilian midfielder’s performances under manager Unai Emery at Villa have not only captured attention from Arsenal but other leading Premier League clubs as well. Keane, speaking on Sky Sports, expressed his support for United to make a move for Luiz.

Despite Arsenal’s three failed attempts to sign Luiz last year, with the final bid being approximately £25 million, he extended his contract with Aston Villa until 2026.

His development has been key in Emery’s squad, who are now contenders for the title. The 25-year-old has contributed six goals and three assists this season, with Villa just two points behind Liverpool at the top of the table.

This form is likely to attract renewed interest from top clubs in Europe, looking for midfield reinforcements in January or the upcoming summer.

Manchester United, under the new guidance of Sir Jim Ratcliffe who plans to revamp the club’s sporting and recruitment strategy, is also in the mix.

Despite the recent signing of Casemiro, who Ratcliffe has reportedly critiqued, United is eyeing a fresh midfield option to support young Kobbie Mainoo, amidst rumors of Casemiro’s potential departure.

Keane, in his commentary, praised Luiz’s reliability and consistency. “He turns up every week this player,” he said. “Never seems to be injured. Quality player. I like him. I think he was linked with Arsenal last year. There are no surprises there, with some of the Villa players, you think they can certainly go on to play for a Man United, Arsenal or even Man City, you look at (Ollie) Watkins.”

“But I like Luiz. He is consistent. Turns up week in and week out. You know what you are going to get from him. I like a lot about him. Probably lacks that real pace maybe. In terms of his decision-making and looking after the ball. Very, very good.”

Aston Villa, currently engaged in a title challenge, values Luiz highly. According to the Daily Express, the club would demand a fee around £100 million for their star midfielder if they were to consider selling him.

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The interest in Lille OSC’s 18-year-old central defender Leny Yoro continues to grow, with some of Europe’s top clubs making enquiries. Among those showing interest are Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain, as per Fabrice Hawkins of RMC Sport.

Téléfoot reports that Liverpool has joined the fray, eyeing Yoro, who has become a key player in Lille’s defense this season. Despite his rising importance at the club, Yoro’s future at Lille, known as Les Dogues, seems uncertain.

RMC Sport has recently indicated that while Lille had hoped to secure a substantial fee for the young defender, their plans might face a setback. An offered contract extension to Yoro appears unlikely to be accepted by him.

This development means Yoro will be entering the final year of his contract this summer. While a move this winter seems improbable, despite interest from PSG, a summer transfer is increasingly likely.

Jorge Mendes represents Yoro, who has garnered attention from elite clubs across Europe. Lille is now potentially looking at a bidding war for their prized defender.